FTR....I hated my LW, until I'd climbed probably 20+X in it. Took me a while to figure it out. Now, it's the only one that's seen action this year (and most likely last year, too). I have 3 climbers / 4 combos. If I only climbed a few times/yr....I probably wouldn't go the LW route. I couldn't justify the $$ OR the feeling-out period. If you climb a lot, though....... Well....I've been up hundreds of times in mine...and it hasn't slipped. I can't speak for anyone else.....and won't. The seat isn't comfortable. Granted. I'm not one to sit very much when I bowhunt, though.
Jeff, I used the Sit/Climb and the Handclimber about 20 times each. I got the hang of climbing with it right off. The slipping thing has never happened with my Summit but happen at least 3 times with the LW. I even had it slip on a soft bark tree. Scared the bejesus outta me at 18ft. even though I was attached to the tree. As far as using the climber a lot. I use mine quite often (Probably half or more of my sits) The Openshot allows me to stand and fold my seat up which I do for the majority of the time, until I want to rest my legs. The great thing about it is you actually "have" the capability to stand at a moments notice while folding the seat against the tree. To each his own though.
Oh I do wish I could do that with my LW (flip the seat). Now, I just turn the upper out of the way (around the tree) and achieve the same thing.....with all the other LW benefits. If you're a sitter....the LW ain't for you. Conceded.
The LW has a few advantages that I liked. Loved the cast platform and how lightweight the top section was. Believe it or not, I wasn't real fond of the belt system. The reason I like the Summit better is that I can remember how many "lugs" I need out on each side to get the stand perfectly level on most trees. No references with the LW in that regard. Also, the summit is way easier to adjust in the tree, at least for me. I agree with GMMAT. If you're an all day squatter, the LW will kill ya. Of course you can buy a 40 dollar seat to add to the 400 dollar stand to make it more doable. ;-)
As far as I know I'll never buy another LW lock on or any other store made stand again. I have 6 other hang on stands that I've made through out the years and will be making another 1/2 dozen this winter exactly like It. I don't think the LW stand I bought Is a bad stand at all but It's just not what I've been used too the last 25 years. The stands I make are bigger and don't have that damn cable to worry about that keeps the platform up. Every time I go from one of my home made stands to my LW I feel like I'm standing on a tiny platform.
Never had my stand slip, my father never had his slip, my brother had not had his slip, and my uncle has not had his slip. All hunting with them for years now. I'm not saying it does not happen however, thankfully...none of us have experienced it. I would not like that feeling one bit! As for the amount of straps and cords. Yeah. he had one that doubled as shoulder straps. One strap to secure the two sections together, Bungee for the seat to the tree as you mentioned and bungee around the feet. My LW has one bungee. I've read a lot of posts regarding not being able to "flip" up the LW seat. I have never had a problem with this. I have a feeling I hunt with my stand differently then the folks mentioning it. Also, I don't have the stability straps. I use the one bungee that they provide for packing to hook the seats traction belt and strap the hooks to the squares behind the teeth. This allows the seat to fold against the tree using one hand. This is for the hand climber. I have a sit and climb as well that I rarely use. Getting back to my original posts. They are both good stands. It all depends on the type of features matter most to the hunter.
I have not got to try the LW yet but I like the web site. I have a summit viper as I stated earlier and I hate that stand. I have yet to climb a tree that it has not slipped. I will not go over 15 ft with it for it scares the crap out of me. Thats why I am looking into a different stand. Also I can not stand the way a summit packs when hiking out. IMHO
Sounds to me 10pt like you may be climbing slick bark trees. I usually have to put forth effort just to dislodge the teeth on my Summit from the tree. Never had it slip in 5 years.
My thoughts exactly. Those slick bark trees can be rough to climb. Other then that type of tree it takes some work to get my Summit dislodged.
I'm surprised that you're having issues with the Summit slipping. Honestly, I have never had mine slip on good trees. I did have it slip a bit on a real hard red oak once, but it wasn't much of a problem. I've been climbing with a Summit now for 7 years with no complaints about slippage or stability. I've even climbed trees that were covered with snow or ice without issue, though you're not supposed to do that. The LW, eh, I'll refrain most of my comments on them as the stand and their customer service left a lot to be desired IMO.
Not trying to sound like a smart elect ( and if I do I appologize ) but I can only climb the kind of trees that I have in my area. They are all hard woods and they may be slick bark as you stated but I want a stand that will climb any tree at any time without having to pick a special climbing tree that may be 75 yards off where I plan to hunt. I had an older summit that I loved but this newer one really has disappointed me. Mainly it is the top half that slips the lower part has never slid once. Should I take a grinder to the teeth and make it them sharper and more aggressive?
Do you use the strap to anchor the top part to the tree? My Viper came with a green strap that is used when packing them to keep the 2 tight together, you also wrap this strap around the top and the tree to anchor the top. Here's a link to Summit's site that shows a pic of the strap by itself. http://www.summitstands.com/productdetail.aspx?id=329173
The point where mine has slipped the most is after I have sit to climb the top half slides before I can get the foot half up. Once I get to the desired hieght I am going to start using a rachet strap to secure it I think.
